Windows shot at Rep. Green's north Houston office

Updated 7:04 pm, Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Staff

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Congressman Gene Green, District 29, walks around his office, which had the window shot out, with Houston Police Department Lt. J.D. Rosenthal, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at his Greenspoint area office in Houston. Green stated that he grew up in the area and doesn't feel threatened. Other windows in Green's building and neighbor Lone Star College were shot out also. Authorities believe the act was random. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

Congressman Gene Green, District 29, walks around his office, which had the window shot out, with Houston Police Department Lt. J.D. Rosenthal, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at his Greenspoint area office in Houston. ... more

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Staff

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Congressman Gene Green, District 29, says he wasn't in his office when the window was shot, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at his Greenspoint area office in Houston.

Congressman Gene Green, District 29, says he wasn't in his office when the window was shot, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at his Greenspoint area office in Houston.

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle

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Media cameramen video the shot out window of Congressman Gene Green's, District 29, office, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at his Greenspoint area office in Houston.

Media cameramen video the shot out window of Congressman Gene Green's, District 29, office, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at his Greenspoint area office in Houston.

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Houston Chronicle

Image 4 of 4

Congressman Gene Green, District 29, walks around his office, which had the window shot out, with Houston Police Department Lt. J.D. Rosenthal, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at his Greenspoint area office in Houston. Green stated that he grew up in the area and doesn't feel threatened.

Congressman Gene Green, District 29, walks around his office, which had the window shot out, with Houston Police Department Lt. J.D. Rosenthal, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, at his Greenspoint area office in Houston.

The damage occurred between 8 and 10:45 a.m., after which it was reported to authorities, Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon said. There are no known witnesses, he said.

"It's not gunshots fired from a semiautomatic," Cannon said. "It's a BB gun or a pellet gun most likely."

It was not clear if the congressman's office was the intended target of the shots, which appeared random, said Cannon.

Police are investigating the incident as criminal mischief.

Green said his staff members had heard what they thought was a car backfire, then heard a breeze in their office. It came from a shattered window.

Green's office was not making additional plans for safety, having already trained staff and changed protocol after the shooting of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in January.

"We've taken a lot of precautions for safety, particularly since Congresswoman Giffords (was shot)," Green said. "The staff has been briefed and trained on what to do in a problem. I grew up in north side Houston and never thought I couldn't protect myself."

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